Industry news

You may or may not know Australia was the first export market for the world’s best ever selling car.The vehicle in question is the Toyota Corolla and this was the first country to receive exports when 15 examples of the first-gen E10 model were shipped here in November 1966, just a month after it was revealed in Japan.During the 1966 Tokyo Motor Show (October 26 to November 8) Toyota had pulled the covers off the diminutive two-door, 1.1-litre city car which over the next six decades and 12 generations would go on to comprehensively out-sell automotive icons like the Ford Model T, VW Beetle and original Mini.So, yep, the Corolla turns the big six-oh this year and Australia was a VIP guest at its first party.Less than a year after the original E10 series debuted, a four-door sedan and wagon type van joined the initial line-up and the Corolla die was cast, the newcomer quickly building its reputation as an affordable, versatile and economical small car, initially going into bat against the similarly-sized, not to mention similar-looking, Datsun (Datto) 1000 and Subaru 1000.Another Aussie milestone for Corolla was assembly of the E10 in Port Melbourne, the first manufacturing site for the model outside Japan. Toyota Australia went on to build more than 666,000 Corollas across its Port Melbourne, Dandenong and Altona plants.    Only four years later, in 1970, the chubbier E20 Corolla was introduced, retaining the original’s front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration but with more capacity, power and weight.The alpha-numeric model code convention continued in 1975 with the E30 / E50 ‘rolla, still rear-drive with later versions powered by a 1.3-litre four and the choice of manual shift or ‘ToyoGlide’ three-speed auto. The third-gen E40 / E60 Sprinter variants were JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) and (other) selected export markets only. A more mature E70 Corolla arrived in 1981 with a new coil-spring, five-link rear suspension, but still rear-wheel drive, with a relatively conservative appearance. A clear ‘white goods’ Toyota period.The E80 kicked off the front-wheel drive Corolla era in 1985 and the ground-breaking E90 became a hugely popular small car option in Australia from 1989, bringing more contemporary looks and the availability of 16-valve, twin-cam engines (anyone remember ‘The O2 Advantage’ slogan?), especially the high-performance ‘4A-GE’.The E100 from 1994 looked more like a substantial E90 upgrade than a new-generation model but the E110 in 1998 was a clear design departure with a distinctive quad headlight face morphing into a wide-eyed, dual-headlight expression following a facelift.In 2001, the now imported E120 ushered in a sturdier, high-waisted look for the ninth-generation, with sedans, wagons and hatchbacks available. The E140/E150 continued that design theme from 2006 to the E170 sedan and E180 hatch launched here in 2014.The Corolla reached a million Australian sales, in September 2007. And for completists, the E160 (Corolla Axio sedan and Fielder wagon) was never officially sold in Australia. Which brings us to the current 12-generation E210. Launched in 2018 it’s the longest-running Corolla model and has proved a huge success.It’s brought back hot hatch performance with GR and soon-to-arrive GRMN variants and looks set to soldier on until the 13th-generation Corolla arrives later this year, with (surprise, surprise) late October a short odds favourite for launch timing. Speaking of hot hatches, in terms of motorsport the Corolla has done everything from Bathurst (its first success was a Class A victory in 1968) to the World Rally Championship as well as multiple Australian Rally Championships (at the hands of Neal Bates and Coral Taylor) and a multitude of other competition appearances around the globe.It’s recently spawned the Corolla Cross SUV as well as a host of other variants throughout its life (AE86 anyone?). And the Corolla shows no sign of slowing down with efficient hybrid powertrains keeping it relevant with sales numbers continuing to tick over locally.Last year, 18,968 new Corollas found homes in Australia, and with another 6277 sold to the end of May this year it remains the country’s best-selling small car by a comfortable margin.   Toyota has all but confirmed the next-gen Corolla will be available with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, pure electric and possibly hydrogen fuel cell powertrain options.Speaking at the showing of a Corolla Concept at last year’s Japan Mobility Show, Toyota President & CEO Koji Sato said despite the new powertrain options, the Corolla must remain a car for “everyone”. “Whether it's a battery EV, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, or internal combustion engine vehicle - whatever the power source - let's make good-looking cars that everyone will want to drive,” Sato-san said. Hear, hear to that. But facing more challenges than ever before in its 60 years, the 13th-generation Toyota Corolla will possibly be the most important for the world’s biggest carmaker. Bring on the birthday party.

A camouflaged prototype of what appears to be the Genesis GV90 has been spied in Melbourne, Victoria ahead of its imminent global reveal.The forthcoming electric SUV flagship for the South Korean luxury carmaker was spied alongside a Hyundai Ioniq 9.It appears the GV90 is considerably longer than the Ioniq 9 which already measures in at over five metres.It also features Genesis’ signature ‘Two Lines’ design language as seen by the tail-lights.A vehicle registration search shows that this is a Genesis evaluation vehicle with a tare weight of 3151kg. This is 377kg more than the Ioniq 9.The GV90 was first previewed by the Neolun concept back in 2024 and was originally expected to be revealed in 2025. This date was pushed back.It’s understood that this new electric SUV from Genesis will be based on the Hyundai Group’s forthcoming eM platform, which is an iteration of the E-GMP platform that dates back to 2021.The eM platform is promised to offer more range, as well as a higher level semi-autonomous driving capabilities.No other official details about the GV90 have been confirmed yet.The original Neolun concept had coach-style rear doors that are hinged in the opposite direction.There have been sightings of GV90 prototypes with these types of rear doors, however this particular example that was spied in Australia appears to have typical rear doors.It’s unclear whether there are still plans to offer the coach-style rear doors in the production-specification GV90.Given the GV90 has been spied in Australia, it’s likely that a local launch is on the cards.Once it launches it will form as a rival to the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Volvo EX90, as well as the forthcoming Range Rover Electric.

Electric car buyers in Australia are facing a new concern.There are demands for increased responsibilities for car manufacturers to correctly state how long EV batteries should last, according to a report from the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA). The report warns that buyers could face a “wave of litigation” when EV batteries need replacement outside of warranty as their cost could exceed the vehicle’s remaining value.One particular dealer said Chinese-built cars are “not holding their charge” or are “blowing up on fire”.The report suggests manufacturers should be required to define acceptable battery thresholds or disclose the expected degradation of a unit. Most batteries carry an eight-year or 160,000km manufacturer warranty, but dealers are looking for greater clarity on what this means.The new initiative would require manufacturers to provide clear indicators of acceptable battery performance.A battery would be considered to be performing at an acceptable level if it has at least 70 per cent of its total capacity remaining after more than eight years, for example. The EV driving range debate continues to rage on and it remains a substantial roadblock for buyers considering switching from petrol- and diesel-powered cars. Many EVs now boast more than 500km of driving range, but people have also started to recognise that most journeys do not require significant amounts of driving. The convenience and accessibility to home and public charging have also increased the convenience of EVs. Reported driving range figures on a particular car can vary greatly depending on the testing cycle used. The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) is viewed as the most accurate standard available. Its testing figures often come in noticeably lower than the older New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) and the even more generous China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).As much as these systems do their best to mirror real-world driving, they can never be truly accurate because of the different ways people use their cars.Consumers often experience range anxiety or disappointment when EVs fail to achieve the range advertised in brochures, according to AADA. AADA has put forward a series of reforms for the Australian Consumer Law to adopt, but it remains to be seen whether any of these will make their way into legislation. 

A camouflaged prototype version of what appears to be the XPeng G9L has been spotted in Melbourne.Only one photo of this spied prototype was captured and it shows the rear of the vehicle. It’s clearly an SUV and the ‘EV’ badge on the license plate indicates that it has an electrified powertrain.The XPeng G9L hasn’t been revealed yet globally and it will be a long-wheelbase version of the existing G9, which dates back to 2021.According to a Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing from earlier this year, the G9L measures in at 5120mm long, 1999mm wide and 1795mm tall, with a 3100mm wheelbase. This makes it 100mm longer than the Kia EV9.Compared to the regular G9, the G9L has a slightly different tailgate cutout and a rear LED light bar. It’s more in line with the larger GX.Globally the G9L will be available with battery electric (BEV) and range-extender (REEV) powertrains. It’s unclear which will be coming to Australia.The G9L BEV is available with single- or dual-electric motor set-ups. Power outputs are yet to be determined.The G9L REEV, on the other hand, will feature a 1.5-litre petrol engine that acts purely as a generator to top up the battery pack. Power outputs are yet to be determined.At this stage no battery or range details have been confirmed.No interior imagery or details have been confirmed yet, so it's unclear whether the G9L offers three rows of seating. The standard G9 only offers two rows.XPeng’s previous distributor in Australia, TrueEV, confirmed the G9L would launch in the fourth quarter of 2026.Given XPeng now has a factory-backed operation locally, it’s unclear whether this launch timing is still accurate.On XPeng’s new Australian website, the only new vehicle besides the updated G6 that currently features is the X9 people mover.This spied G9L isn’t the only recent camouflaged XPeng prototype to be spied in Australia. Examples of the Mona L03 ‘coupe’ SUV and the forthcoming L05 SUV were spied in Victoria.It’s understood that the former is due to launch in Australia in 2027, while the latter is still undergoing validation testing for the Australian market.

Hyundai has sounded the alarm about what will happen to customer warranties, and who will hold the liability, when car companies inevitably fail in Australia's increasingly crowded and competitive market.That's the stark warning from Hyundai Australia CEO, Don Romano, who said the industry consensus was that some brands, legacy and newcomer alike, would fail in Australia's cut-throat car market, with the senior executive warning that honouring warranties could then become a question mark for owners."The question is are all of these brands going to survive? And I think the general consensus from every manufacturer is no," Mr Romano says."The question then becomes when they leave, who holds the warranty liability? And I think that's an issue that doesn't get too much press, but I think it's a worry that some of the big dealer groups that are holding onto a number of brands that may or may not be around – and I'm not talking Chinese brands, it could be any brand."I've been involved with brands that have left North America, but they still have the resources in their global business to protect the warranty. I wonder sometimes about some of the new brands – is the government looking at that? Do they realise that if they leave, some of these dealers are going to have to take care of the customers out of their own pocket?What happens to a customer's warranty in Australia appears to largely depend on the infrastructure left behind. When Opel failed in Australia, Holden honoured remaining warranty. Same too for Holden, which was covered by General Motors. Customers of Citroen and, most recently, Peugeot will have their warranties covered by the broader Inchcape Group, which was the importer for both of the French brands.But if no infrastructure remains, then it would appear to be the distributor, and then the dealer group, left holding the liability."I think that's a concern because a lot of those dealer groups own our facilities and represent us, so you know this could have implications beyond just the brands that may leave, but even the stronger brands because they're all tied together," Mr Romano says.It's a thought echoed by the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA), which has today released a response to a major review into Australian Consumer Law and the Franchising Code of Conduct.The wide-ranging review, conducted by Emeritus Professor Jenny Buchan and commissioned by the AADA, identified five key themes, including "a growing disconnect between legal responsibility and operational control in the resolution of manufacturing defect claims, practical shortcomings in the operation of manufacturer indemnification arrangements, uncertainty surrounding the application of key ACL concepts, inefficiencies within existing dispute resolution processes, and limitations in the Franchising Code’s ability to address power imbalances.The review also specifically explored brands exiting the Australian market, and calls for a policy framework that demands OEMs honour warranty, repair, parts and buy-backs for a defined period, lasting as long as the warranty on the last-sold vehicle. It also calls for EV-specific funding for wound-up companies, as well as regulatory approval before an OEM can exit the market.“For most Australians, purchasing a car is the second-largest financial commitment they will make. Consumers have every right to expect a fair, timely and efficient process when faults arise,” says James Voortman, CEO of the AADA.“Multinational manufacturers must take greater responsibility for the products they import in Australia and be active participants in resolving consumer disputes.”

After its backflip on the announcement it would go all-electric by 2030, Volvo seems set to reverse another trend it has been following of late: the shift to SUVs.Reports from the US reveal internal discussions around a sedan and wagon being reintroduced to the North American market, with insiders saying the target models are already being developed for Europe.While the report is focused on the US, comments from Volvo Australia’s top brass in the past mean Aussie fans of the Swedish brand’s wagons have reason to be optimistic.The sedan and wagon, both to be electric, would bring some traditional styles back to the Volvo line-up, which as it stands only includes the large, high-riding ES90 as anything resembling a sedan.The return of a wagon has been reported by Automotive News in the US, with apparent insider information pointing to Volvo using ‘60’ or ‘70’ badged cars similar to the S60/V60 or S70/V70 badges used for sedans (S) and wagons (V) in the past.According to the report, the models will be built in Europe, with a Cross Country version of the wagon also on the cards as has been Volvo’s tradition.Set to be built on the same SPA3 platform as the new EX60, the new models would also incorporate 800-volt electrical architecture for super-fast charging and options in terms of battery sizing.While the news comes very soon after the US discontinued the V60 and V90 wagons, it might not be hugely surprising to those aware of Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson’s comments early this year on the industry’s global push for more SUVs.“We are looking into that,” Samuelsson said, “I think we will not only have SUVs five years from now.”The comments are similar to those from Volvo Cars Australia’s Managing Director, Stephen Connor, who in 2022 said Volvo wouldn’t go ‘all-SUV’.“Absolutely, we can have other models,” said Connor. “We’ve seen a big move toward SUVs in the last few years, now electrification will broaden that range. I think there’s a desire now for new shapes that aren’t just what we would consider an SUV. Electric cars let us experiment with new shapes and new ideas.”The brand’s local head of PR and Communications Greg Bosnich added at the time that if an electric version of the V60 came along, Australia would have its hand up for it.“There is still demand in Australia for a car like the V60, and if an electric model comes, we’ll be getting it.“The wagon is part of our story, isn’t it? I think HQ is conscious of that and I think that emotional connection is still there.”If you were disappointed to see the V60 disappear from Australian showrooms, stay tuned.

Zeekr has given a glimpse inside one of the most anticipated new SUVs coming to Australia. Zeekr will introduce its flagship 9X large SUV to the Australian market this year, and will offer a seriously high-end experience for rear-seat passengers. The 9X is expected to carry a $100,000-plus price tag when it lands in Australia, giving the BMW X7 and top-spec Range Rover models a run for their money. It has been shown off in a plush five-seater configuration, with the seats covered in a supple maroon leather. It boasts up to 1.4m of legroom for rear-seat passengers, with seats also featuring reclining and zero-gravity.Physical control panels in the rear doors control functionality.The middle seat back folds down to provide a comfy armrest and reveal more rear cabin controls.There is a central tablet control panel to set the temperature and monitor other car features from the back.  The car has already launched in China, where it is also offered in a six-seater configuration. It is available with two powerful plug-in hybrid set-up choices.Both have a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, paired with either two or three electric motors, offering 660kW/935Nm or 1030kW/1410Nm.It can shift from 0-100km/h in roughly three seconds. The car has a fittingly huge battery of up to 70kWh, expected to offer an all-electric driving range of more than 300km. Zeekr will hope the 9X can build on the momentum of its cars already making waves in Australia. The 7X mid-size electric SUV has been a revelation for the brand.  It has quickly garnered significant attention from buyers as it looks to hunt down the record-breaking Tesla Model Y.Its smaller X sibling has also started to gain some traction Down Under, with a mass of new orders for its recently-updated model. 

This Aussie favourite budget SUV is getting hybrid power.Jaecoo has announced a hybrid version of its J5 small SUV will join the electric and purely petrol variants from August.It will start from $34,990, drive-away, meaning it is only $2000 less than the hugely-successful EV, but $9000 more than the base petrol-powered J5.This new J5 will be more expensive than hybrid variants of the Chery Tiggo 4, GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS that are all available from $29,990.Omoda Jaecoo is a sub-brand of Chery and is pitched as a semi-premium alternative to traditional budget Chinese carmakers.The car comes in a single ‘Summit’ grade, with no plans to introduce a cheaper hybrid grade of the J5 in the future.Prices for petrol-powered and EV examples will stay the same despite the addition of a hybrid option.It has a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor set-up, producing 165kW and 295Nm, making it the most powerful J5 in the lineup.It has substantially more performance than its petrol sibling (108kW/210Nm) and represents a marginal increase on the 155kW/288Nm in the EV.Its performance also trumps its closest competitors.The new set-up is also more efficient, reducing fuel consumption to 5.6L/100km from 7.5/100km on the petrol-only car.The car will be front-wheel drive like the rest of the J5 lineup. Omoda Jaecoo said this improved efficiency and performance is courtesy of a new iteration of Chery's hybrid technology.  A spokesperson for Omoda Jaecoo Australia would not confirm whether this is a version of its next-generation ‘Super Hybrid’ DHT160 set-up announced earlier this year. The J5 Hybrid has a similar exterior look to the petrol variant, but has been given a different design for its 18-inch alloy wheels. Its interior features synthetic leather seats, with the front ones heated and ventilated, as well as a fixed panoramic sunroof. There is a 13.2-inch central touchscreen and 8.8-inch digital driver display, as well as a 50W wireless phone charger.The car boasts other convenience features such as a powered tailgate and 360-degree camera.This hybrid variant completes the J5 lineup in Australia for Omoda Jaecoo. The EV is the strongest-selling J5 variant, with cheaper recently-launched petrol-powered variant having a positive start to life in Australia as well.

Freelander, the new Land Rover spin-off and joint-venture with Chery, has revealed the interior of its much-hyped upcoming debut Freelander 8 large SUV.Following on from previous drip-fed information about the upcoming SUV, the interior reveal shows a design that blends traditional elements of Land Rover with the new-age tech-forward cabin design of its Chinese contemporaries.The Freelander 8 features a stepped dash design with its most eye-catching feature being the 46.3-inch surround display, which serves as both the digital instrument cluster for the driver and an information panel spanning the width of the car.Previously unseen features include the new steering wheel, which inherits some of the look of the current Land Rover range, complete with the bar-style ‘Freelander’ logo in place of a badge as seen on Defenders and Range Rovers, and the chrome D-shaped lower spokes, linking the otherwise-independent joint-venture to the mainline brand.The Huawei-backed tech suite also includes a large 15.6-inch multimedia touchscreen, although there are an array of physical shortcut buttons below it, with dual control dials on the centre console. This should help the brand with anticipated Chinese regulations seeking to curb touchscreen-dependent interiors.Other Land Rover-linked features include the door cards, which inherit some of the minimalism and design motifs seen on other current Land Rover products, complete with ambient lighting and what appear to be push-to-exit door handles.The images shown also preview an array of premium materials, with a suede headliner and what appears to be at least synthetic leather for the seat trim.The Freelander 8 looks nothing like a Chery, with its distinctive look giving the Freelander more independence from other Chery-platformed vehicles like the boxy SUVs from its Jetour or iCaur brands.Freelander was spun off from Land Rover’s mainline range, which has now been broken down into sub-brands Defender, Range Rover, and Discovery.Executives from Chery told CarsGuide earlier this year that Freelander would be coming to Australia as another stand-alone Chery-aligned brand and would establish its own dealer network.The Freelander joint-venture project is expected to spawn a range of models below the Freelander 8 in the near future.The Freelander 8 is expected in Australia some time in 2027 and is a range-extender hybrid large SUV.At over five meters long, and with three rows of seating, it is a far cry from the original Freelander small SUV, which debuted in the late 1990s. It is tailor-made to take advantage of a boxy 4WD craze currently washing over the lucrative mainland Chinese market.Full powertrain details are yet to be confirmed, previous information confirms a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, at least dual electric motors and an 800-volt 60.33kWh battery, which grants it 221km of electric driving range according to the more lenient CTLC measuring standard.It will boast a 2000kg towing capacity despite its enormous weight, and will at least feature a central simulated differential lock and some kind of off-road ability to live up to its Land Rover-associated name.Stay tuned for more on the Freelander brand as it nears its Chinese launch.

Toyota has issued an urgent recall for its Tundra ute in Australia.It concerns a specific issue with 1199 local examples of the full-size pick-up manufactured between 1 May 2023 and 19 December 2024.These vehicles are equipped with a potentially faulty towing converter relay responsible for controlling vehicle and trailer rear lamps.Toyota said a wire within this relay may not be sufficiently insulated, which exposes the terminal pin, leading to the cabin back panel, which is a vital electrical component, shorting in some instances. This causes the brake lights to become inoperative and for the brake override warning message to be displayed."Inoperative stop lights may cause other drivers to be unaware when an involved vehicle is braking, increasing the risk of a collision which may result in injury or death," the brand's notice read.The car will also not turn on again once it has been turned off as part of the smart start system that prevents the car from being driven if the brake lights are not functioning. There is an emergency start procedure that can be used. Toyota said this issue does not affect other models within its lineup. A spokesperson for Toyota Australia said there have been three reported incidents of the issue occurring.The brand will contact affected owners to book a dealer appointment and rectify the issue for free.The procedure of reworking the terminal pin and re-insulating the wire to the main wire harness will take roughly an hour, according to Toyota. The hybrid Tundra competes with other full-size pick-ups like the Ford F-150 and the Ram 1500 for sales in Australia. It has experienced a solid sales increase in 2026, but remains a comparatively low-volume model for Toyota.